Today's Aerospace Pulse
Blue Origin’s New Glenn suffers catastrophic engine failure during static fire
A BE‑4 methane/LOX engine on Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket failed four seconds after ignition, causing a catastrophic explosion that destroyed the first‑stage booster and damaged Launch Complex 36A. No personnel were injured. An FAA‑led investigation, supported by the U.S. Space Force, is under way.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Disciplined Growth Acquisition Corp raises $150M in IPO
CLPS Companies Excited For NASA’s ‘Opportunity Bomb’ Lunar Plan
NASA released a draft RFP for CLPS 2.0, outlining a $6 billion budget cap, a ten‑year ordering window, larger landers, and support for lunar‑night power and sample return. The agency aims to begin monthly uncrewed lunar deliveries as early as next year, shifting from one‑off missions to a sustained supply chain. Firefly Aerospace, Intuitive Machines and Astrobotic all expressed enthusiasm, citing the ability to scale lander production, a narrowed vendor pool, and increased NASA technical assistance.
The Real Reason Why Rolls-Royce Owns The Airbus A350 Engine Slot
Rolls‑Royce’s Trent XWB engine powers the Airbus A350, delivering roughly 15% lower fuel burn than its predecessor and saving airlines about $2.9 million per aircraft each year. The engine’s high bypass ratio and lightweight materials also reduce noise and enable 370‑minute ETOPS...
US Charter Broker IsraJets Launches In-House Carrier IsraFly
US charter broker IsraJets announced the launch of its own air‑operator subsidiary, IsraFly, leveraging the FAA Part 135 certificate previously held by Crow Executive Air. The new carrier will initially operate a single 2006 Hawker 800XPi (N870TX) configured for nine passengers and...
Moving Target Indication, Orbital Warfare Among Areas Needing Increased Investment, Space Force Official Says
U.S. Space Force Lt. Gen. Dennis Bythewood told a Mitchell Institute forum that the defense industrial base must receive more funding for moving‑target indication, launch infrastructure, orbital warfare, and positioning, navigation and timing (PNT). He emphasized the need to expand...
The Fault
Yesterday, NASA’s Artemis II mission lifted off with four astronauts, marking the first crewed lunar‑orbit flight since the Apollo era. The launch captured worldwide attention, but media coverage quickly shifted to President Trump’s unrelated television appearance and policy remarks. Despite political...
What Happens When an Astronaut Is Exposed to the Vacuum of Space?
When an astronaut is suddenly exposed to the vacuum of space, the body does not explode or freeze instantly, but loses consciousness within roughly 10–15 seconds as oxygen delivery to the brain ceases. Gases in the lungs and body fluids...
Former Sierra Space CEO Tom Vice to Lead Astrion
Tom Vice, former Sierra Space chief executive, has been appointed CEO and executive chair of Huntsville‑based defense contractor Astrion. The company also named former Lockheed Martin Space vice president Eric Brown as president of space operations and ex‑RTX executive Conn...
The Fight Is On For A Stake In TAP Air Portugal
Portugal's state-owned holding company Parpublica received non‑binding offers from Air France‑KLM and Lufthansa Group for a 44.9% minority stake in TAP Air Portugal, plus a 5% employee tranche. The government set an April 2 deadline and expects a preferred bidder to...
15 Fairchild Airmen Awarded for Refueling Roles in Combat Operations
Fifteen airmen from Fairchild Air Force Base’s 92nd Air Refueling Wing were honored with the Distinguished Flying Cross and Bronze Star Medal for conducting aerial refueling missions in contested airspace. The ceremony, led by Maj. Gen. Charles Bolton, highlighted their role...
The Sky’s Greatest Dragon: Drake’s Luxurious 30-Year Old Boeing 767 Returns To The Skies
Canadian rapper Drake’s customized Boeing 767‑200, dubbed “Air Drake,” has returned to active flight after a multi‑month interior overhaul that began in May 2025. The 30‑year‑old wide‑body, originally delivered in 1996, underwent a near‑complete cabin redesign, adding ultra‑luxury suites and advanced materials while...
Optical Terminals Still a Bottleneck in Pentagon’s Proliferated Constellation
On Oct. 15, Lockheed Martin launched 21 Space Development Agency Tracking Layer Tranche 1 satellites, each carrying three laser communication terminals (OCTs) instead of the planned four due to a supply shortfall. Tesat‑Spacecom delivered 42 terminals while CACI supplied only 21,...
Sovereignty in Orbit: Can National Laws Govern Global Space Markets?
National space laws provide the licensing backbone for launches, spectrum, and remote‑sensing, but they cannot alone resolve cross‑border disputes that arise from global satellite constellations, orbital debris, and lunar‑resource activities. The Outer Space Treaty remains the legal floor, tying private...
Astroscale and Exotrail to Co-Develop Servicing Mission
Japanese satellite‑life‑extension specialist Astroscale and French launch‑service firm Exotrail have signed a contract to co‑develop a low‑Earth‑orbit de‑orbiting mission, aiming for operational capability by 2030. The partnership combines Exotrail’s SpaceVan vehicle with Astroscale’s capture system and proximity‑operations expertise. The agreement...
In-Orbit Logistics Companies Call for Clearer Demand Signals From Gov
Industry leaders at a SATShow Week panel warned that demand for in‑orbit inspection, repair, refueling and de‑orbit services will surge over the next five to ten years as Low‑Earth Orbit becomes increasingly congested. The Space Development Agency (SDA) highlighted a...
ArkEdge Space to Work With ABIT For IoT Service Rollout
ArkEdge Space and Japan’s ABIT Corporation have signed an MOU to co‑develop wide‑area IoT solutions and satellite communication equipment. The collaboration merges ArkEdge’s low‑power, long‑range satellite network—validated on 18 in‑orbit satellites—with ABIT’s ground‑side device design, mass‑production and protocol expertise. ArkEdge...
‘Drone Hunters of Kherson’ Takes Viewers Into a War that Blends ‘Trench Warfare and the Terminator’
The 17‑minute documentary “Drone Hunters of Kherson” reveals how cheap, off‑the‑shelf drones have supplanted artillery in Ukraine, with Russian FPV units targeting civilians and Ukrainian foot‑patrols countering them. It highlights the rapid, hour‑scale innovation cycle that produces $1,000 interceptor drones...
France Left to Fund Rafale F5 Alone After UAE Withdrawal
France must now fund the Rafale F5 fighter programme alone after the United Arab Emirates pulled out, citing refusal to share optronics technology. The UAE had pledged up to €3.5 billion ($3.8 billion) toward a €5 billion ($5.5 billion) development effort, leaving France to shoulder...
FAA Releases Part 141 Modernization Proposal
The FAA released a proposal to overhaul Part 141 flight‑school regulations, moving oversight from local district offices to a centralized management office. The plan gives chief instructors greater authority to make routine changes and replaces periodic recertification with continuous performance...
Artemis Going to the "Moon" -- Again??
NASA launched Artemis II on April 1, a crewed test flight that will circle the Moon rather than land. The mission’s primary goal is to validate Orion’s life‑support, navigation and deep‑space systems ahead of future surface missions. While some observers question the...
UK and France Sign MoU to Develop Meteor Missile Successor
The United Kingdom and France have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to launch a 12‑month joint study on a successor to the Meteor air‑to‑air missile. The current Meteor, fielded on RAF Typhoons and French Rafales, was developed by an MBDA‑led...
![[NEW] Cliff Note #138: An Aerospace Supplier with a Decade of Aircraft Backlogs and a Generational Defence Spending Surge](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!vD14!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F063eafec-fa90-4003-8987-7401ddb62ff2_512x512.png)
[NEW] Cliff Note #138: An Aerospace Supplier with a Decade of Aircraft Backlogs and a Generational Defence Spending Surge
A leading aerospace parts supplier that serves Boeing, Airbus and major defense primes is riding a dual tailwind of a ten‑year, roughly 15,000‑aircraft backlog and a resurgence in global defence spending as NATO allies pledge 3.5% of GDP. Gross margins...
After F-35 Cuts, Switzerland Mulls Scrapping U.S. Patriot Deal Amid Delivery Delays & Cost Hikes
Switzerland is weighing the cancellation of its $2 billion Patriot missile‑defence contract after the United States signaled further delivery delays and a potential 50% price increase, pushing the total to roughly $3.3 billion. The delays stem from U.S. reprioritisation of Patriot shipments...
L3Harris Taps Mercury Systems for High-Capacity Data Storage on SDA Tranche 3 Satellites
On April 2, 2026, Mercury Systems won a contract from L3Harris Technologies to provide advanced solid‑state data recorders for the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 3 Tracking Layer. The SSDRs are the highest‑capacity, radiation‑tolerant units in a 3U VPX form factor, delivering...
Civil Aviation Ministry Puts on Hold Free 60% Seat Rule for Airlines
The Indian civil aviation ministry has suspended its earlier directive requiring airlines to offer 60 percent of seats free of charge. The pause follows airline objections over operational and commercial impacts, particularly on fare structures. The ministry cited the need to...
Amazon Weighs a Deal to Boost Its Satellite Internet Ambitions. Why It's Worthy Pursuit
Amazon is in talks to acquire satellite operator Globalstar, a move that would expand its fledgling Leo internet‑from‑space service. Leo currently runs about 200 low‑Earth‑orbit satellites, far fewer than SpaceX’s Starlink network of over 10,000 satellites and 10 million users. The...
Editorial. Up in the Air
India’s regional connectivity initiative received a fresh $3.5 billion boost as the cabinet approved a ten‑year outlay for the Udan scheme. Since its 2016 launch, Udan has helped 16.3 million passengers fly on subsidised routes and doubled the country’s operational airports to...
21 Air Eyes Larger Boeing 777s to Access Long-Haul Cargo Market
21 Air, the mid‑size cargo carrier that serves DHL Express and Amazon, is preparing to add Boeing 777 freighters to its fleet to tap the long‑haul international market. Owner Jim Crane has installed former Crane Worldwide Logistics chief Keith Winters...
Guard, Reserve Leaders Flag Concern over Recapitalizing Fighter Fleet
Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve leaders warned that more than 80% of their fighter inventory consists of aging legacy jets with limited service life, and over half of Guard squadrons lack a clear modernization roadmap. They argue that...
AT&T, FirstNet Support Comms for NASA's Artemis II Mission Around the Moon
AT&T is supplying connectivity and on‑site support for NASA’s Artemis II mission, enabling near‑Earth and deep‑space communications as the Orion crew circles the Moon. The carrier has upgraded its network and positioned teams at key NASA facilities, while its FirstNet public‑safety...
Short‑Term Losses Mask Long‑Term Defense Innovation Gains
Given reports this week that Pete Hegseth tried to buy defense stocks prior to launching the Iran war, much attention has been paid to the failure of that trade. The index he attempted to buy, IDEF, has fallen ~13% over...
Artemis II Launch Reveals SRB Staging and Early Moonrise
NASA has posted rocket cam views from the launch of Artemis II. Here's SRB staging and the Moonrise the crew observed at T+5 minutes. https://t.co/paJDONlg0a https://t.co/M9lkXnDjHu
Follow Artemis II’s Progress with This Web Dashboard ↦
Accessibility advocate Jakob Rosin launched a web dashboard to monitor Artemis II. The tool pulls live NASA telemetry, showing speed, position, an event timeline, and an audio radar. It offers a cleaner mobile experience than NASA’s official tracker, though it omits...
SpaceX's IPO Valuation Skyrockets at Astronomical Multiples
SpaceX trying to go public at 80x forward sales, 500x forward earnings, and 125x forward EV/EBITDA multiple https://t.co/rk6SKuODJy
Amazonleo Calls SpaceX Safety Concerns Disingenuous, Promises Response
.@Amazonleo to @FCC: @SpaceX concerns about safety of our orbit-insertion altitude are disingenuous, but we'll address them anyway. @Arianespace @ulalaunch @blueorigin @NASA @SpaceNav2.https://t.co/thBEYhMtho https://t.co/4TA3hcqlU6
Private Control of Space Infrastructure: Should One Company Have This Much Influence?
SpaceX now controls launch services, Starlink broadband, crew transport to the ISS, and key defense contracts, making it a de‑facto infrastructure provider across multiple space layers. The company earned this dominance through rapid iteration, vertical integration and aggressive pricing, not...
Haters Misjudge SLS: Not That Old, Still Flexible
Haters be like: SLS is so old it was made before HD cameras, and so inflexible it can’t be upgraded.
RC‑135 Surveillance Jet Spotted Stripped of Paint
RC-135 Rivet Joint Surveillance Jet Caught ‘In The Nude’ In Texas It's not common to see America's workhorse electronic intelligence collection jet stripped of its gray-and-white paint scheme. https://t.co/WJg8TqG1jU
EASA Proposes Lower Safety Criteria for eVTOL Test Flights
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued a draft Certification Memorandum (CM‑21.A-P-002) that lowers safety criteria for eVTOL development flights. The proposal sets flight conditions for aircraft up to 250 knots and a maximum take‑off mass of 5,700 kg, allowing limited...
Northwestel Secures Multi-Year Telesat Lightspeed Deal for Rural Broadband
Canada's @northwestel signs multi-year contract for @Telesat Lightspeed capacity, part of Telesat's CAD 600M ($432M) capacity pool agreement w/ Canada government to reduce costs for rural broadband access. Northwestel coverage map: https://t.co/ITYDkWqUS1
ITU Orders Oman to Refile Extension Request in July
.@ITUradiocomms tells Oman to re-file its deadline-extension request in July after rebuffing latest appeal given further difficulties in finding place-holder sat. @Infinite_Orbits @GoToImpulse @AirbusSpace @Astranis @epicaerospace. https://t.co/ACUdV05KDF https://t.co/uCRF89FYZJ
Chinese Satellite with Robotic 'Octopus Arm' Passes Key Refueling Test in Orbit — Making Longer-Lived Space Assets More Likely
China’s experimental Hukeda‑2 satellite demonstrated a major in‑orbit refueling capability by using its octopus‑like robotic arm to dock with a target port on the same spacecraft. The test, conducted on 24 March, marks the first self‑docking refuel maneuver since the Shijian‑25...
Artemis II Begins TLI Burn, Reaching Lunar Distance
The Artemis II Integrity spacecraft is now coasting downwards and will reach perigee of about 195 km late on Apr 2. At 2349:50 UTC it will make the TLI (Trans-Lunar Injection) burn, a 388 m/s burn lasting 5m51s to raise...
Delta's “Free” NYT Access Masks Subscription Pitch
Delta Adds New York Times To Seatback Screens — 'Free Access' Is Really A Subscription Pitch - View from the Wing https://t.co/fQDM40egtM
Moog Technology Successfully Steers Artemis II Launch
Moog Inc. supplied the critical actuation and motion‑control systems that steered NASA’s Artemis II launch, including thrust‑vector control, launch‑abort actuators, fluid‑control hardware, and mobile launch‑pad mechanisms. The SLS rocket lifted four astronauts from Kennedy Space Center, marking a record‑setting step toward...
United Poised to Overtake Delta as Top U.S. Airline
Delta Built America’s Best Airline — United Is About To Take The Title Away - View from the Wing https://t.co/oR3klASFdS
Roscosmos Chooses Modern Start‑1M as Light‑Weight Launcher
Roskosmos now positions Start-1M vehicle, (converted from Topol-M ICBM) as its prime candidate for a light-weight launcher through the Novy Start venture. Compare it to the Start-1 vehicle from the 1990s, based on previous-generation Topol. Context: https://t.co/qfFQGn2e0c https://t.co/rP18aP5xVL
Artemis 2 TLI Burn Approaches: Updated Mission Timeline
Timeline of Artemis 2 key events (in Mission Elapsed Time) is in NASA's press kit. https://t.co/dKNkKadt10 NASA is posting updates on the Artemis blog. https://t.co/WeDPP3en7T TLI burn is next major event ~7:35 pm ET today (1d1h37s post-launch) https://t.co/kQH3BiJIJG
Artemis II Prioritizes Practical Gains Over Cultural Iconic Impact
Artemis II probably will not have a profound cultural impact like Apollo 8, and that's totally fine. We're not trying to win hearts and minds this time, but to have carts and mines. https://t.co/kBHD2sshu1
US Space Force Confirms Russian Starlink Satellites Stay Near Rocket
Thanks to the US Space Force, there is finally tracking data for the "Russian Starlink" group, indicating that all 16 satellites are in their nearly original orbit, a few kilometers above the third stage of the Soyuz-2 rocket, which had...
B‑52s Still Soaring After Six Decades of Service
The last B-52 was delivered in October of 1962. It's a testament to the design's versatility that the B-52s being flown are as old as their pilots' parents.